RiverRats show growth during summer

Richmond’s Brandon Neel makes contact during a July 26 game against Butler at McBride Stadium. Neel was one of five RiverRats to earn all-star honors during this summer’s Prospect League season.(Photo: Joshua Smith/Palladium-Item file)Buy Photo

Matt Brankle called McBride Stadium home for three years, including the past two summers with the Richmond RiverRats of the Prospect League.

Brankle made his final appearance as a RiverRat when he struck out five Lorain County Ironmen in the final two innings of Monday's home finale.

The doubleheader sweep concluded five straight home victories to finish the season.

"It's been a fantastic two years for me. I couldn't ask for better people to be around — coaching staff, ownership and players," Brankle said. " ... It's kind of strange, but it's awesome that I got to throw the last inning (at McBride). That was what I was hoping for, to throw the last inning here. So that was nice."

The 'Rats wrapped up season No. 6 with Tuesday's 5-4 loss at Butler. They went 14-19 in the second half after finishing last in the first half at 10-16.

The second half mark and the overall 24-35 record were both good enough for fourth place in the East Division.

" ... There's a lot of pieces that go into it, and the overriding factor is you have to have a roster full of guys where the character is good, morale is good and knowing how to play together as a team," said manager Tyler Lairson, who has been with the team every year since it started in 2009. " ... We have a great young group of players that I think down the road are going to be very good and do well in their careers."

General Manager Deanna Beaman confirmed before Monday's home finale that the 'Rats have been selected as the host team for the 2015 Prospect League All-Star Game.

"We are excited about that," she said. " … We are in the process of finalizing dates. We're looking forward to putting that all together and bringing folks from all over into our community."

Brankle was a two-time all-star with the 'Rats, joining Adam Painter and Nolan Earley as the three 'Rats to earn the honor twice.

Brankle led the team with 24 appearances out of the bullpen and went 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA, five saves and 41 strikeouts.

He was one of five 'Rats to earn all-star honors this year.

Kyle Jackson and Mike Paez, each a freshman from Coastal Carolina University, were starters, with Jackson winning the home run derby and being named All-Star Game MVP. Justin Paulsen and Brendon Neel were also all-stars.

" ... Our record really doesn't reflect how we've played this season, but these last few games we've done really well," said Neel, who led the 'Rats with six home runs, 16 doubles, 33 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. " ... I wouldn't trade this for anything. I love this. I live for it."

Paulsen had 33 RBIs and led the team with his .306 batting average. Jackson and Nick Sergakis each had four homers, while Jackson stole 16 bags.

Paez joined the team late and left early, but when he played, he led the league with a .391 batting average. In just 23 games, he had 34 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 16 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, scored 26 runs and struck out just seven times.

As a team, the 'Rats hit .247 with 21 homers, 11 triples and 99 doubles.

"The win and loss record is not where we'd like it to be, but we've had a lot of individual success as a team," co-owner Duke Ward said. " ... Part of the purpose of this league is player development and player growth and I think we saw quite a bit of that this year."

Pitching-wise, Bowie Matteson and Adam Manner each made 10 starts. Matteson went 1-3, struck out 43 and had a 3.58 ERA, while Manner was 4-4 with a 4.12 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

Luke McGee was the only returning 'Rat other than Brankle. He started eight games, going 2-4 with a 3.09 ERA and 21 strikeouts.

"It's been a great group of guys to play with all summer," said Sean Safko, who had 35 strikeouts in 23 games as a reliever. " ... Personally, this is the most fun I've ever had playing baseball. ... We couldn't make the playoffs, but we wanted to go out on a good note. We've had pretty good fans all summer, so we just wanted to get something to remember."